Children of Destiny

Okay! The kids finally learned Spinjitzu but it's just the beginning! There won't be any action here but we'll see some interactions between the kids & the consequences of being a hero but 1 of them may not be taking it very well. Read on the find out!

Chapter 8: I Don't Wanna be Famous

The new generation were up and ready the next day, ready to take on more bad guys, but not before a hearty breakfast…

Except that they already had their disagreements on what to eat and who will cook.

"I'm making waffles!" Chris exclaimed.

"No way!" Akira scoffed at his cousin, "I'm gonna make my mom's famous omelettes!"

"Guys! Enough!" Amy grew exasperated by her teammates' arguments, "We're supposed to be a team yet you can't agree on what to have for breakfast!?"

Misako merely looked on in bemusement. They were all pretty much like siblings but even she decided enough was enough.

"Silence!" The usually calm woman raised her voice just enough to get their attention.

"You'll have to make breakfast yourselves," Misako said, "You'll have to learn be independent and take care of yourselves and life on the Bounty is a good opportunity. But if you'll only argue over petty things, then I will have to teach you how to live together."

The ninja and kunoichi have seen their parents and even Lloyd and Wu getting mad before but they never saw Misako getting angry and something told them that an angry Misako was one of those things that's better off as an unsolved mystery.

"On second thought, let's just have some cereal…" Chris chuckled nervously.

The others quickly agreed and ate in silence, not wanting to provoke their teacher…

Just like she did back at the monastery, Misako still gave her students lectures.

"I know that your skirmish yesterday was just the first encounter but you all have every right to know who's behind all this." She started today's session.

"Is it the Overlord?" Leon asked.

"Yes," The scholar nodded, "He is the one responsible for all these events going on lately."

"But there's one thing I still don't get…" Kyle spoke up.

"And what's that?"

"Sensei Lloyd also told us about the disappearances that went on over the last couple of weeks and we still have no idea how those are related."

The scholar knew this would come up and she wasn't going to sugarcoat the truth.

"It's very likely the Overlord is building his own army," Misako answered, "But nothing unusual is going on in Ninjago lately but that doesn't mean it's all peaceful. He's probably laying low to trick us into letting our guard down but you should know better."

"What should we do when he shows up?" Alex asked.

"Don't worry about that… for now… But that doesn't mean you can slack off on your training."

"But there's still something I don't get." Melody raised her hand to get Misako's attention.

"And that is…?"

"How was the Overlord able to recruit this army?"

"The Overlord can plant wicked things into humans' ears, much like he did with Garmadon. He is a vile manipulative being who feeds off any negative emotions. It was for this reason that the green ninja nearly lost his battle. You should be careful not to let history repeat itself."

'Even if it is happening in its own way...' The scholar said to herself...

With no set destination, the Destiny's Bounty was on auto-pilot.

"Hmmm… the Bounty's low on fuel," Chris examined the fuel tank icon that was at one bar like a phone on low battery, "Is it okay if we land?"

"We're flying over the Calm Fields so I don't see not," Misako replied, "Also, we're not very far from Jamanacai Village. I'm sure they'll supply some fuel."

Forgetting their dragons' state earlier, the ninjas whistled for their dragons but they ended up arriving late and the reason was obvious on their appearances. The dragons looked even worse than before. Their panting was very hoarse and sounded like they were wheezing and their eyes looked bloodshot.

"They also have to shed their scales at the Spirit Coves but the village is at a walking distance." Misako observed the map.

"How long will they be gone?" Amy asked while stroking Rain's scales.

"I don't know," The wise woman shook her head, "But until then, we can only get around with the Bounty or on foot."

"Guess you'll be leaving…" Kyle gave a melancholy glance towards Star.

"They won't be gone forever," Her teacher said, "They'll return once they've shed their scales."

The new generation said their sad goodbyes to the dragons before they took off. Like Leon and Willow, they were quite fond of their draconian companions and saw them as important parts of their lives. They looked on wistfully as their silhouettes faded into the skies.

"Looks like one of us will have to go on foot…" Leon muttered.

"Akira and Forrest, why don't you go?" Misako offered, "Your interactions may prove beneficial in the long run." She gave a quick glance in the white kunoichi's direction.

Even Misako can tell Akira had a crush on Liana and interacting with her brother could help him be more in touch with his true feelings for her.

"What she said!" Willow playfully pushed the two together.

"Hey!" Akira exclaimed, "Knock it off!"

"Come on Willow! This isn't funny!" Forrest complained.

Liana only looked on with a quizzical expression, unaware of the real reason Misako paired up the fire ninja with her brother but she also noticed the way Akira blushed.

"Forrest… be careful…" The kunoichi of ice said to her brother.

"Don't worry, sis," The plant wielder consoled her, "Akira and I are just gonna get some things. It's no big deal."

Liana turned to Akira, looking like she wanted to say something but just remained silent as the duo climbed down the ladder onto solid ground.

The two ignored the chuckles coming from the ship as they headed towards Jamanacai Village…

The ninjas of fire and nature walked in silence, not sure how to strike up a conversation without mentioning Liana.

"So… you're… tall for your age…?" Akira made an awkward start.

"If I had a quarter for every time I've heard that, I'd be a billionaire by now." The ninja of nature rolled his icy blue eyes, having been commented on his height for as long as he can remember.

It was true that Forrest was really tall. Although he was only fourteen, he was nearly the same height as his older teammates and it was always like that since they were all small children.

The awkward silence grew more uncomfortable for them until Akira finally had enough.

"What's it like in Arbouria?" He asked the teal ninja.

"It's nice," Forrest looked back to life in his forested hometown, "It's a pretty quaint place and the forests are always peaceful. I like taking a walk there whenever I can. The people there are also friendly and though I'm not one to toot my own horn, I'm pretty popular back at school."

"Same here." The fire ninja boasted.

"But for Liana, it's a different story," The nature ninja sighed, "She doesn't have much friends. It doesn't help that the other girls call her mean things like a 'freak' just because she doesn't like the same things they do. I try to help her find her own way to fit in but she won't let me in. She can be so stubborn sometimes…"

Akira felt a slight sense of understanding towards Liana. His friends back at Ignacia and even his own sister often called him stubborn. It was one of those things he got from his hotheaded dad.

"What do your parents say about it?" The red ninja asked.

"Dad often tells her that he went through the same thing and he tries to help her cope with her differences but she's always acting like she's the 'tragic misunderstood heroine'. I swear, she's going to get special snowflake syndrome if she keeps this up."

"What about you? Do you get along with her?"

"Yeah," The fourteen-year-old nodded, "In fact, she and I get along pretty well, even if we don't seem like it. She's actually really sweet and intelligent. Too bad the other girls can't see that. All they see is this 'freak' who doesn't belong just because she's not interested in fashion and boys. Mom and Dad say it's their fault for not accepting her for who she is and I have to agree."

Alex also got made fun of for not being girly but unlike Liana, she made them regret it.

"So what's Ignacia like?"

Akira felt another wave of nostalgia upon looking back on his true home.

"Just like Arbouria, it's peaceful," He began, "The weather is always warm and the people there are also friendly. Some of them have known my dad and aunt since they were kids."

"Do you and Alex get along?"

"Most of the time. We still get into fights every now and then but hey, that's what siblings are like, right?"

"Yeah," The teal ninja replied, "Liana and I fought before. One time, we were at each other with forks and knives in a restaurant. We were grounded for a month after that."

"R-really…!?" Akira couldn't imagine Liana getting into fights that violent before and the fights he had with his sister can get pretty intense.

"Yup," Forrest nodded like it was no big deal, "We've never seen our parents so shaken in our lives. Our dad's really nice but he can be very strict if Liana and I cross the line."

Now Akira knew he's going to get a run for his money if he's going to thaw Liana's icy heart. At least Forrest seems willing to help him and his sister open up to each other.

Akira and Forrest weren't even close to the store when they got bombarded by the paparazzi.

"It's them!" One fangirl squealed, "They're the guys who defeated that gang!"

"Let's bother them!"

"What the- !?" The duo were shocked by all their admirers crowding around them.

"Where do you live?"

"What's it like being a hero?"

"What's your favorite food?"

"What's your sign?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

The fans kept bombarding the ninjas with all sorts of questions and the camera flashes were so bright it nearly blinded them. They were practically cornered at the gates of the village, giving the paparazzi the perfect chance to harass them.

"Kuso!" Akira cursed as he tried to make his way through the crowds.

"We don't have time for this!" Forrest yelled impatiently.

Pushing quickly turned to shoving as the two ninjas fought their way through the crowds to get to the stores and buy some much-needed fuel. What was supposed to be a simple task turned out to be a brutal bout of survival of the fittest.

This was going to be a long day…

Back at the Destiny's Bounty, life just went on as normally as that a ninja's can get. They were currently watching Stephen Cosmos but still spent some time knowing more about each other.

"How's Sayuri doing?" Alex asked her cousins.

"She's doing fine," Chris answered, "At least the last time I saw her."

"I feel a bit bad for her," The orange kunoichi confessed, "You two have your elements but she has nothing. She must feel left out all the time."

"Yeah," Kyle looked back to his little sister, "She often got jealous of us and I have to admit, we did tease her a bit but we didn't really want to make her feel left out."

"Mom had that same issue but she managed to overcome it even before becoming a kunoichi." Chris said.

"Of course," The olive-skinned girl responded, "She's a strong and independent woman. That's why I look up to her."

Alex also thought highly of her aunt, who shared her independent spirit. Her dad said they both got it from his mother Chihiro. In fact, it was said that it was because of her independence that her grandfather fell in love with her in the first place. She remembered the stories her dad told her of how her grandfather made many half-assed attempts to win her heart before she too fell in love with him.

"But Sayuri still has a lot to learn," Chris said, "She's only nine but she already wants to be like us. She still doesn't realize the world isn't everything she thinks it is and that having an element is not all it's cracked up to be. She'll have to train every day, wake up early, and end up fighting bad guys like the ones we faced the other day. I know she still has a lot to learn but she's still a young girl and she's not ready for this kind of stuff."

"Chris, you're babbling." Kyle warned his brother of his chatty habit.

"I know she's still very young, but I hope Sayuri realizes she doesn't need elemental powers to fit in with us," The kunoichi of wind added, "She's a really smart girl."

"Who knows," The metal wielder shrugged, "Maybe she'll get her own element later, or maybe she can find her own way to fit in with the team…"

"She just needs some time." The blue ninja said.

If only a certain duo out shopping can hear him now…

While getting fuel for the Bounty, Akira and Forrest also decided to get some other things such as food, cleaning supplies, and even something extra for them. But it wasn't easy when there's a bunch of fangirls and cameras following them everywhere. Some even tried went as far as to try following them into the men's bathroom.

Akira eyed the colorful bouquets of flowers on display near the grocery store. He knew Liana's mother was the kunoichi of nature and she inherited her love of nature. Maybe he can also get a little something for her…

"You said your mom's a florist." He said, getting Forrest's attention.

"Yeah. She always loved nature and flowers. Liana and I have a thing for technology but we also respect Mother Nature."

Akira stared at a bunch of white snowflake flowers that reminded him of Liana.

Maybe he can get some for her…

"…You know, Liana actually prefers pink flowers." Forrest said almost out of nowhere.

"Really?"

"Just because she's the kunoichi of ice doesn't mean she only likes white things."

Akira felt a little bad for generalizing Liana by her element but it made no difference.

Too bad there were no pink flowers in stock.

Until next time…

Akira and Forrest quickly regretted buying so much stuff on the way back. Without any dragons, they had to carry all the cargo by themselves. They've lost count on how many times they had to stop to pick up the things they dropped. They also would've gotten back earlier if not for the paparazzi butting in as much as possible. It was a miracle none of them lost their patience but finally, the Destiny's Bounty was within sight.

"Finally!" Akira sighed in exhaustion.

"Guys, a little help?" Forrest begged the others to help him and Akira carry the ample load once they were right next to the ship.

"What took you so long!?" Leon greeted his metaphorical brothers with a complaint once they were up on the deck.

"I don't want to talk about it." Forrest said rather quickly.

"Let's just say we now have some admirers…" Akira murmured.

"Admirers…?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

"There were all these journalists, cameramen, and fangirls that kept getting all over us," Akira shuddered, "It was like a nightmare."

"The paparazzi were after us like a pack of wolves," Forrest explained, "I thought we wouldn't make it out alive."

"What's so bad about that?" Leon asked, "I think it's nice to have some fans."

"You really haven't met fangirls, have you?" The nature ninja gave him a concerned look.

"Does this mean we're famous now?" The naïve Willow inquired.

"It's only natural that you'll get a lot of attention for the deeds you will do for Ninjago," Misako answered, "Your parents went through the same thing in their youth but you must remember that being famous doesn't make you heroes nor should you let popularity cloud your minds."

"Forget about being famous and help us!" Forrest complained while trying to carry a heavy bag of groceries.

While helping Akira and Forrest, the other ninja and kunoichi felt giddy at the thought of being famous, that is except for one. For some reason, Kyle didn't look too thrilled at the thought of having cameras following them. He kept having an anxious expression with uneasiness showing in his hazel eyes…

Another peaceful day has passed but the solitude quickly bored the young ninja and kunoichi.

"I'm so bored!" Willow complained, sprawled out upside-down on the couch in the living room.

"We heard you the first time." Leon groaned in annoyance.

The new generation just finished their training but there was nothing else to do.

"Maybe we can go to Ninjago City," Melody suggested, "You know, just to check on things- "

"NO!" Kyle suddenly shouted rather suddenly.

"Kyle, what's the matter?" Amy asked, her big sister instincts kicking in.

"I don't like the idea of being watched…" The yellow ninja said, slightly embarrassed.

"There's no need to be shy. It's only natural that we'd get a lot of attention…"

"I… I just… I'm just camera shy! T-that's all!" The ninja of metal stuttered.

"Is there some deep, dark backstory behind this?" Forrest questioned him.

"N-no! Just drop it already!" The yellow ninja exclaimed.

"Awww, is little bro too shy for the spotlight?" Chris teased him.

"Chris, don't provoke your brother." Misako rebuked the lightning ninja.

"Come on Kyle!" Akira badgered his cousin, "Just go with us and have some fun!"

"I SAID NO!"

Even the metal around the yellow ninja reacted to his outburst. The TV suddenly went out and the furnishings made of metal bent out of shape. The others stared in silence, shocked by Kyle's sudden surge of emotion since he was always one of the more level-headed types.

Kyle refused to say a word, only running back to his room before anyone can question him.

"You really shouldn't have done that!" Misako scolded the ninjas, "Kyle was uncomfortable and you shouldn't have pressured and teased him!"

"I also recommend checking on Ninjago City but Kyle won't be coming along," Misako explained to the group, "Since Akira and Forrest got to go out yesterday, they'll also stay here."

"We'll go." The Charbonneau sisters volunteered.

"Very well," The scholar nodded in approval, "If you find anything of importance, tell us straight away. Even something as simple as a grain of sand can tip the scale."

"We understand." The sisters climbed down the Bounty and headed for the city.

"As for you," The bespectacled woman gave an icy stare to the ninjas who teased Kyle, "You will spend the next hour training at the obstacle course on maximum difficulty."

"Do we have to!?" Akira whined like a child.

"You wouldn't have had to do it if you haven't been so intrusive on Kyle," She said in an austere tone, "Now get to it."

The obstacle course rose up and the guys could've sworn the dummies were cackling at them.

(*) "…Chert voz'mi…" Leon cursed.

In Ninjago City, the Charbonneau sisters felt deep regret for underestimating the fans.

Like what Akira and Forrest went through, Melody and Amy were bombarded by journalists and fans who kept nagging them into revealing every single detail about their lives. They always had people following them when their mother was an idol but this was even worse because now, it was them the fans were after and the crowds were even bigger than the ones that chased after their mother in her heyday. They practically clung to each other so they won't get separated.

"Man! These fans are everywhere!" Melody exclaimed, shielding her eyes from the aggressive camera flashes.

"It's no wonder Kyle didn't want to go!" Amy added.

The girls tried to focus on their original job of checking on the city but the inhabitants won't let them do their job in peace. It was really testing their patience and they were really tempted to do Spinjitzu on them just to go away.

"Hey!" A familiar voice called them.

"Who's there!?" Amy looked around and saw the owner of the voice.

"In here!" Darrell beckoned the girls into his father's dojo.

The sisters didn't have to be told twice to make a run for the dojo. The brown ninja's son locked up the doors just before the paparazzi can flood the building.

"Darrell! Thank you so much!" Amy let out a loud sigh of relief.

"Darrell," Dareth approached his son from the back room, "What's all the people outside? Let them in."

"NO!" Amy and Melody shouted.

"Dad, do you really want the paparazzi to be on our asses?" Darrel raised an eyebrow towards his father.

"On second thought, two is enough company." The grown man chuckled nervously.

"Oh, are these two lovely girls friends of yours?" A feminine voice asked.

Emerging from the back was a woman with hair the color of dark chocolate in a bun. Age lines marked her face but she was still a comely woman.

"Mom, this is Amy and Melody," Darrel introduced the woman who was apparently his mother to the sisters, "They're part of the new team of ninja and kunoichi."

"And they'll be staying here for a while, Elaine." Dareth hung his arm over his wife's shoulder.

He still felt lucky after all these years to find a woman who loved him despite his faults.

"So what brings you girls here?" The brown ninja finally asked.

"We're actually here to see if there's anything going on," Melody said, "We thought it would be a good idea to check on the city in case there's something unusual going on."

"Things have settled down since that fight at the museum," Darrell answered, "Even so, you're always welcome to crash in here."

"Thanks."

The Charbonneau sisters spent their time looking through Dareth's belongings, from the gilded fake trophies to pictures he took with the original parents. They felt nostalgic looking at one of the pictures of their parents and they even spotted some souvenirs Dareth managed to get his hands on from their mother's concerts before her retirement.

But they haven't forgotten about their original plan to look out for anything suspicious.

If only the fangirls can leave them alone…

"Looks like the fans are dying down." Melody stared at the dissolving crowds from the window.

"Good thing Kyle stayed behind," Amy added, "He wouldn't have made it this far."

"Do you think there could be some other reason for him not wanting to go?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Being camera shy is one thing but he was pretty adamant on not going. He did kinda explode back there. Maybe we should talk to him."

"You shouldn't butt in on other people's business," The kunoichi of earth's 'big sister' attitude kicked in, "It's better to approach him in a way that it won't stress him out."

"I guess you're right…" The purple kunoichi responded, "And it was pretty much the guys' fault for pressuring him."

"True, but given his personality, I think there's something more than just being shy," The earth wielder said, "Kyle's usually calm compared to his brother. Someone should talk to him but not force him into revealing why he doesn't like it."

The buzzing from the sisters' communication device went off but they already knew who it was.

"Girls, have you found anything unusual?" Misako asked through the device.

"Nothing," Melody answered, "We would've explored more if the paparazzi hadn't bothered us. We're hiding at Dareth's dojo until the crowds die down."

"I understand. Just be sure to thoroughly check the city before you get back."

"Okay."

This time, there were less fans than before as the sisters finally inspected the city. So far, there was no signs of any threat nor were there anything unusual but that didn't mean they can slack off. They took heed of Misako's concerns but decided it was time to go back.

The sun was just starting to set when the Charbonneau sisters finally returned.

"What happened to you guys?" Amy asked seeing the guys looking extremely exhausted.

"Don't… don't ask…!" Akira huffed between deep breaths.

"Have you found anything suspicious in the city?" Misako asked.

"Nothing seemed off," Melody said, "But we could try our best tomorrow."

"I see," The scholar held her chin in her hand in deep thought, "The Overlord's still trying to fool us into letting our guard down but I know you're smarter than that."

"Do you think something will happen soon?"

"I can't predict the future but when that day comes, I want you to be ready for it."

"We understand."

Amy and Melody bowed before helping the pooped ninjas out of the deck.

Misako had faith in the new generation but she knew they still had some growing up to do.

The scholar also noticed the chemistry between the sisters. Amy and Melody thought with both head and heart but Amy often leaned towards the former and Melody with the latter. Because of their similarities and differences, they complemented each other, which can be beneficial for one another.

Each of the new ninja and kunoichi had their distinct personalities like their parents and they'll have to work together and balance each other out if they're to fulfill their destinies.

The Overlord and his army of revenge may not be the only obstacles they'll be facing.

This was going to be a journey for them in both body and mind…

(*) Chert voz'mi = Dammit (Russian)

Phew! That's the end of this chapter!

I wanted a tiny break to let the kids' personalities shine. Kyle will be the star of the next chapter where we'll see why he doesn't like the idea of being famous & there will be a little bit of action too.

As always, review!